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"Overlooking Runway 25 - Right, at Los Angeles International Airport"

"The Retaking of MV Maersk Alabama"

106 Year Deja Vu

The Rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips

But Now That Capt Phillips Is Safe

The Real Story Is About Commodore William Bainbridge, USN

On The Scene Off The Coast of Somalia

Feature Date: April 11 2009

Event Date: April 8 2009

Countryman & McDaniel

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"Overlooking Runway 25 - Right, at Los Angeles International Airport"

On The Scene -- 300 Miles Off The Coast of Somalia

 A 2009 Countryman & McDaniel

Cargo Nightmare Prize Contender

Go Directly To The Feature

The U.S. Federal Indictment Against Pirate Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse - The Full Story -- Official Court Text - 23 April 2009

A Timeline of Piracy In Somalia & The Gulf of Aden

Special Pirate Photo Features For You To Visit

Daily Index To This Crisis: - Go Direct To Current Report By Date -- Scroll To The Date Below --

April 8 2009 -The Taking & Retaking of MV Maaersk Alabama

April 9 - 206 Year Dea Vu -- The Story of Commodore William Bainbridge, USN

April 10 - Capt. Phillis Attempts To Escape

April 11 - MV Maersk Arrives At Mombassa

April 12 - USS Bainbridge Turns Away Pirate Relief - Negotiations At US$2M Break Down

April 12 - He's Free As Short & Swift Fire Fight Ends Standoff!

April 15 - The Capt. & Crew of MV Maersk Alabama Are Coming Home Tomorrow

April 16 - Commodore William Bainbridge Looks Down

April 17 - Captain Phillips Comes Home

April 17 - And Finally

April 23 2009 -- Full Text of The U.S. Federal Indictment Against Pirate Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse - The Full Story

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Other Great Disasters of our Time

The Cargo Letter Photo Gallery of Transport Loss

"The Attack On M/V Zhen Hua 4" - Dec. 2008

"The Taking of MT Biscaglia" - Jan. 2009

"M/V Ciudad de Ushuaia Stuck At The Pole" - Dec. 2008

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"Fedra Backs In" - Death of M/V Fedra" - Oct. 2008

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"The Death of Hercules" - Nov. 2008

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"Steeplechase"- A340 - Nov. 2007

"Explorer Ship Down" - M/V Explorer - Nov. 2007

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"Boxing Up The Rhine" M/V Excelsior - April 2007

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"Mis-Fortune" - M/V Hyundai Fortune - March 2006

"Scheldt Snafu!" - M/V Grande Nigeria - Feb. 2006

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"Backhaul !" - for July 2005

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"Unstacked" - overboard & Dr. Beach - Nov. 2004

"Coal Face" - the cargo was danger - July 2004

"Super Loss" - March 2004

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"Denise & Polargo" - a love story - July 2003

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The Cargo Letter Photo Gallery of Transport Loss

 

 

"The Retaking of MV Maersk Alabama"

On The Scene

300 Miles Off The Coast of Somalia

MV Maersk Alabama In Better Days

MV Maersk Alabama , ex-M/V Alva Maersk

Built: 1976

FLAG: United States of America

CLASS & TYPE: Class A - Container

YARD: Taiwas

CONTAINER CAPACITY: 1,399 TEU'ss

 
DEADEWIGHT: 17,525 DWT

LENGTH: 508.5 ft.

BEAM: 82.0 ft.

DRAFT: 45.5 ft.

DESIGN SPEED: 21 knots

A Cargo Nightmare Prize Contender

The Date: April 8 2009

The Time: 0730 hrs. & Throughout The Day

The Place: 300 Miles Off The Coast of Somalia

MV Maersk Alabama Discharges Cargo With Her Deck Cranes

The Cargo Letter - April 9 2009  
17,000-ton U.S.-flagged M/V Maersk Alabama, sailing from Salalah in Oman to the Kenyan port of Mombassa via Djibouti and delivering humanitarian aid to Africa, was seized by Pirates 240-nm southeast of the Somali port city Eyl on Apr. 8 at 0730LT. The incident is the first pirate attack on a U.S.-flagged vessel in over 200 years. The vessel's crew of 20 managed to overpower the pirates and regain control, but the ship's captain is being held hostage on a lifeboat. A spokesman for World Food Program confirmed that part of the ship's cargo was being ferried on its behalf, including 4,000 metric tons of corn headed for Somalia and Uganda, and 1,000 metric tons of vegetable oil earmarked for refugees in Kenya. It was expected to dock in the Kenyan port of Mombasa on April 16. At the time of the attack, the closet U.S. warship was 300 miles away and unable to respond. U.S. officials say an American warship and a half dozen others are headed to the scene where pirates captured a vessel with a U.S. crew off Somalia's coast. (Wed. Apr. 8 2009).

Capt. Richard Phillips Is Drifting In A Lifeboat With 4 Somali Pirates.

As the pirates shot in the air, Capt. Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vermont, told his crew to lock themselves in a cabin and surrendered himself to safeguard his men, crew members sad. Capt. Phillips is credited with engineering the successful fight to retake MV Maersk Alabama.

The Cargo Letter World Exclusive -"106 Year DejaVu"

Here is the rest of the story you won't read in the press -- not yet -- until this article is circulated.

The first American warship to the rescue of MV Maersk Alabama was USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) which arrived on scene at approximately 10pm Eastern time on April 9 2009.

That last American-flagged vessel to be captured by pirates was the USS Philadelphia, when she ran aground off Tripoli on 31 October 1803 and was captured by the Tripoli pirates. The U.S. Navy Captain was held hostage by the Tripoli pirates for about a year. That Captain both lost his ship to the pirates and was held by them for a year. That Captain wanted revenge. That revenge was to come 2006 years later!

That captain of USS Philadelphia -- who was the last U.S. captain to lose his vessel to pirates was Captain William Bainbridge -- namesake of the current USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) -- the first warship now to the rescue of MV Maersk Alabama off Somalia.

What amazing irony -- as the spirit -- or ghost of Commodore William Bainbridge, USN now rises up -- again 106 years later -- to take his vengence on the pirates after more than a century. Indeed, you can't make this stuff up!

USS Bainbridge now comes to the aid of MV Maersk Alabama. The namesaeke of the last U.S. ship to be be taken by pirates comes to the rescue of the the next.

We will contiune to follow this amazing story as USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) should address the situation at dawn, a few hours from now

The Cargo Letter is proud to be first in the world with this part of the story. It pays to study maritime history!

This is one of the greatest ironies in world maritime history. (Wed. Apr. 8 2009)

Michael McDaniel, your Editor

Commodore William Bainbridge, USN

Looking Down Tonight -- Perhaps Smiling

We are very concerned that Capt Richard Phillips of MV Maersk Alabama was taken hostage by the pirates and remains at risk in the lifeboat of MV Maersk Alabama under pirate control. We will continue to watch this situation.

Reader Letter:

Someone made a point yesterday on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Alumni Network about the statement of the incident with MV Maersk Alabama being the first such attack in 200 years. The press has seemed to overlook the ambush and seizure of the Sea Land container ship SS Mayaguez, which occured off of Cambodia in May of 1975. 39 crew were taken hostage and removed from the ship by members of the Khmer Rouge.

An armed assault by U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps personnel secured the ship, and the crew was mysteriously released and set adrift in a fishing boat shortly thereafter. (April 10 2009)

Jim McGowan - MMA '95

EditorResponse:

Jim - Your example of the SS Mayaguez incident was not "PIRACY." The Khmer Rouge were a political organization of Cambodia in 1975. Under,accepted insurance definitions -- PIRACY must be non-political to be PIRACY. Thus the attack on SS Mayaguez was not piracy. We are thus are back to the last pirate seizure of an American vessel in 1803. Our story stands -- and Captain William Bainbridge continues to smile.
McD

Somali Thugs In Their "Long Range" Boats

Reader Letter:

It looks like these pirates had a lapse of judgment. The retaking of the ship by its (unarmed) crew should reinforce to the scupper-licking pirates the fact that Americans are a little different. It's not our arms that make us different. it's our culture. I'm very proud of the crew and the captain. They are Real Americans. I pray for the brave captain's safety and justice for the pirates, delivered by the "Ghost of Commodore Bainbridge", may he avenge himself upon them. (April 11 2009)
SSG Patrick Jankowiak, Texas State Guard - Dallas, Texas

Capt. Richard Phillips -- 53, Maritime Hero By Giving Himself Up As A Hostage

The Cargo Letter - April 10 2009
Capt. Richard Phillips made a break for freedom before dawn on April 10 with an attempt to swim to nearby US Navy destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) but was immediately recaptured when at least one of the pirates jumped into the sea and chased him.

Capt. Phillips has been held hostage since late on April 8 when pirates failed in their attempt to hijack his ship, the US-flagged M/V Maersk Alabama, 400 miles NE of Mogadishu.

The pirates bundled Capt. Phillips into a lifeboat, cut loose from the 17,500-ton cargo ship and have been drifting since. The USS Bainbridge, arrived at the scene on April 10 morning, but failed to force an end to the stand-off.

Several other U.S. warships including amphibious assualt ship USS Boxer are heading towards the scene, but the pirates "vowed" on April 10 that they would "fight back" if there were attacked. Were it no the the safety of Capt. Phillips, these thugs wouldsomewhat less brave. USS Boxercarries a full U.S. Marine Corps. contingent, including snipers.

The latest attack brings the total number of pirated ships in the ongoing hijackings to more than 20, with about 300 hostages

MV Maersk Alabama On Arrival At Mombassa, Kenya

The Cargo Letter - April 11 2009  

MV Maersk Alabama arrived safely in the Kenyan port of Mombasa on April 11 morning amid tight security.

Capt. Richard Phillips, was taken hostage and is still being held captive on a lifeboat by the gang of four pirates.

"The captain is a hero. He saved our lives by giving himself up," one unidentified crew member shouted over the ship's side to a posse of journalists waiting as she docked.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has declared MV Maersk Alabama a "crime scene" after her arrival in Mombasa, Kenya.

The FBI has launched a formal investigation into the pirate attack which brought the scourge home to ordinary Americans.

Meanwhile, Somali pirates hijacked an Italian-flagged, U.S.-owned tugboat with 2 barges in the Gulf of Aden.

VIDEO

VIDEO

USS Bainbridge (DDG-96)

Watches Capt. Richard Phillips - Floating In A lifeboat With 4 Somali Pirates

This Is The Equal To A Liquor Store Robbery Holding The Entire State of New York Hostage

The U.S. Maritime Security Program -- to which MV Maersk Alabama belongs -- provides limited operating assistance to keep 47 U.S. commercial militarily-useful ships sailing under U.S. flags. The U.S. Department of Transportation funds this 10-year program which replaces the US$4M a year per ship Operating Differential Subsidy and provides annual payments of US$2M per vessel for 3 years and US$2M thereafter. Participating carriers are required to enroll in an Emergency Preparedness Program established to provide intermodal sealift support in time of war or national emergency. The commercial transportation resources to be provided would include shipping capacity, intermodal equipment, terminal facilities, and management services. The ship capacity and associated intermodal capabilities of the MSP vessels are enrolled in the new sealift Emergency Preparedness Program, the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA), providing efficient and effective maritime capability to support U.S. national security objectives.

All U.S. flag ships &emdash; commercial & military prepositioning &emdash; are manned by U.S. citizen merchant mariners. Today, there are about 26,000 US merchant mariners. During a contingency, USTRANSCOM will need about 4,000 of them. By the turn of the century the industry is estimated to be down to about 13,000, of those USTRANSCOM will still need 4,000. The Maritime Security Program (MSP) prevented a projected shortfall because of the MSP's reemployment rights and support of a baseline of US flag merchant vessels that provide civilian employment for the mariners USTRANSCOM will need during crises.

These pirates just picked the wrong ship.

Tribal Somali Pirate

Reader Letter:

Did you ever think we would see the day when the French Navy would out preform ours in dealing with pirates?
Hugo Garcia - Calabasas, CA

USS Boxer (LHD4) Arrives On Scene With U.S. Marines

All This For 4 Illiterate Teenagers With AK-47s - Four Guys In A lifeboat

This Is The Equal To A Liquor Store Robbery Holding The Entire State of New York Hostage.

Commodore William Bainbridge, USN Must Be Scrtatching His Head.

Capt. Phillips Adrift With 4 Armed Pirates

The Cargo Letter - April 11 2009  

Negotiations are under way in a bid to free an American Capt. Richard Phillips abducted from his ship and being held in a lifeboat off Somalia, the Pentagon says.

Pentagon spokesman Maj Stewart Upton declined to give details about any aspect of the negotiations, including who is leading them. But a New York Times report suggests the talks broke down on April 11 with the pirates demanding US$2M in ransom.

The negotiations broke down hours after the pirates fired on a small U.S. Navy vessel that had tried to approach the lifeboat not long after sunrise April 11 in the Indian Ocean.

The captain is being held on a lifeboat said to be now drifting just 30 miles off the Somali coast.

A pirate "commander" has warned the U.S. Navy, which has USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) within sight of the lifeboat, against attempting to rescue Captain Richard Phillips by force.

Sources to The Cargo Letter report the U.S. Navy has turned away numerous small craft -- pirate boats -- from the area.

The USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship based in San Diego, has joined the U.S. military assets in the Indian Ocean near the covered lifeboat that is out of gas and drifting about 30 miles off the Somali coast. Marines from Camp Pendleton, California have joined in the standoff with Somali pirates.

Editor Note:

These thug Somali pirates have operated for years now in the ransom business. The goal is a financial reward - as they have seen $$$ paid for ship after ship over the past several years. Historically, hostages have generally not been harmed in this Somali phase of Int'l piracy history.

There are now 4 Somali pirates in a lifeboat of MV Maersk Alabama holding Capt. Richard Phillips. Four Illiterate Teenagers With AK-47s are holdng the wold hostage. They are idiots who have no wish or intention to harm the hostage if that action might diminish ransom hopes.These guys have guns which is only an affectation. Wear these guys down a bit more -- and then take them.

Fully expect the U.S. Navy to understands & complete the mission - soon. The lifeboat has drifted to only about 30 miles from shore.

Capt. Richard Phillips remains our hero and his safe return our goal. (April 11 2009 pm)

McD

Capt. Richard Phillips & USS Bainbridge (DDG-96)

The Cargo Letter - April 12 2009 - He's Free! BRAVO ZULU! Easter Miracle.

In a  swift firefight on Easter Sunday, April 12, a U.S. Navy team including SEALS from USS Bainbridge rescued Capt. Richard Phillips who had been held hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia.

The three Somali pirates thought USS Bainbridge was doing them a favor when it offered to tow the drifting lifeboat in which they were holding Capt. Phillips after it ran out of fuel.

USS Bainbridge fed out a 200-foot line but as the seas grew more choppy the American sailors hauled the rope in and brought the lifeboat much closer. Sitting in the wake of the U.S. warship's broad beam riding on the tiny craft would have been a lot less rough.

But it also brought pirates within range of three snipers perched on the Bainbridge's stern and made the Somalis more stable targets.

Discussions with the pirates were not going well. One pirate was aboard USS Bainbridge while his three confederates remained 25 meters to 30 meters away on the lifeboat where Capt. Phillips was tied up.

Vice admiral William Gortney, commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, told reporters that U.S. navy special forces were dropped by parachute in to the sea at night close to USS Bainbridge and brought on board under cover of dark after President Obama authorised the use of force to free Capt. Phillips if his life was in danger.

Gortney said that one of the pirates was seen to be pointing a weapon at the captain's back and the snipers "took it that the pirate was ready to use that weapon". He said that when all three pirates where in their sights "with their heads and shoulders exposed" - two of them emerging from the covered lifeboat while the third could be seen through a window guarding the bound hostage - the sharpshooters opened fire simultaneously hitting each of the pirates in the head.

With both weather & pirate attitude deteriorating -- one pirate was seen to level his AK-47 at the back of Capt. Phillips.

One pirate shot a tracer round.

Sensing the life of Capt. Phillips was in immediate danger, Cmdr. Frank Castellano, Commanding Officer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) made a split second decision to order snipers to fire. Positioned on the fantail of USS Bainbridge, the snipers took out all three pirates simultaneously.

Capt. Phillips was not injured in the firefight and was safely transported to nearby USS Bainbridge (DDG-96).

Three pirates were killed and a 4th wounded & taken into custody.

Let's hope this action sends a message to the pirates. Some 17 ships & 200 sailors remain in pirate custody.

President Barack Obama on April 12 pledged to combat the rise of piracy off the coast of Somalia, as U.S. naval forces rescued American merchant Captain Richard Phillips from his pirate captors.

"We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region," said President Obama.

Somalia's vast sea area makes it very complicated to deal with these pirates and a concerted effort to guard and protect the critical sea routes have become a nightmare to U.S. and European countries which have sent defense vessels there...

However, Sea Farers Association Spokesman based in Kenya, Andrew Mwangura says that the pirates are still holding many other crew and it would be justified if something is done and try to also rescue them. Among them are many Philipinos, Indians, Srilankans and many Chinese and European crewmen. The current total is 17 vessels & 240 crew.

Crew of MV Maersk Alabama & FBI Officials Hoist "Old Glory" On April 12 When News of Rescue Is Received

Two Red Signal Rockets Were Also Fired -- Screaming Into The Air

Crew of MV Maersk Alabama

VIDEO

VIDEO

 

Capt. Richard Phillips With Cmdr. Frank Castellano, Commanding Officer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) April 12 2009

Capt. Richard Phillips Has Now Been Transfered Aboard USS Boxer (LHD4)

Capt. Richard Phillips - American Hero

The Cargo Letter - April 14 2009 - MV Maersk Alabama Crew Reunited

Captured Capt. Richard Phillips and crew of M/V Maersk Alabama will be back on U.S. soil and in their loved ones' arms April 15 night after their hair-raising high seas encounter with buccaneers.

Capt. Richard Phillips is expected to fly to Kenya, to reunite with his 19-man crew, before flying home. Their charter is due to land at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland sometime lateApril 15.

Lifeboat of M/V Maersk Alabama Under Tow From USS Bainbridge (DDG-96)

This Is The Point Where The Pirates Were Killed.

USS Boxer (LHD4) In Background

U.S. Navy Photo From U.S. Navy Seal Craft

Can it Be Said That Commodore William Bainbridge, USN Took Revenge From The Fantail of USS Bainbridge After 206 Years?

Commodore William Bainbridge, USN

Looking Down Tonight -- Vindicated After 206 Years

True Maritime History: Who could imagine that the namesake captain of the last U.S. ship to be taken by pirates (USS Philadelphia) would be that very ship which captured the next group of pirates to take an American ship some 206 years later - USS Bainbridge? The odds of this defy imagination. You Can't Make this Stuff Up.

See the full STORY.

McD

Gratitude, Respect, Pride

Capt. Richard Phillips Is Reunited With His Family, April 17 2009

America Still Makes Men Like This

The Cargo Letter - April 17 2009 - Captain Phillips Comes Home

VIDEO

Capt. Richard Phillips has arrived at his farmhouse April 17 with his wife, Andrea, to find their home festooned with ribbons, "Welcome Home" balloons and signs, with a flag-waving contingent of about 25 people standing on the other side of the road and cheering.

Phillips, who had offered himself up as a hostage after pirates made an aborted attempt to seize MV Maersk Alabama April 8 off Somalia, survived the ordeal after U.S. Navy snipers on the USS Bainbridge killed the three pirates holding him with simultaneous shots under the cover of night.

Capt. Phillips, 53, then spoke publicly for the first time since he agreed to let the pirates take him hostage in exchange for the release of his crew and their ship, MV Maersk-Alabama, which was delivering food aid to Kenya.

Several times in his remarks, he returned to the heroism of the U.S. Navy SEALs and the other U.S. Navy personnel who patiently and meticulously outwitted the pirates and secured his freedom, even as an AK-47 was pointed at his back.

"They are everyday people," he said of the U.S. Navy SEALs. "They are at the point of the sword every day."

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE INDEX

 Imagine Commodore William Bainbridge Wearing this T-Shirt. We Think He Would.

 

From Our Reader - 10 April 2009

It looks like these pirates had a lapse of judgment. The retaking of the ship by its (unarmed) crew should reinforce to the scupper-lickingpirates the fact that Americans are a little different. It's not our arms that make us different. it's our culture. I'm very proud of the crew and the captain. They are Real Americans. I pray for the brave captain's safety and justice for the pirates, delivered by the "Ghost of Commodore Bainbridge", may he avenge himself upon them.
SSG Patrick Jankowiak -- Texas State Guard, Dallas, Texas

I heard on the news the other morning that a Canadian warship captured and detained several Somali pirates after the pirates attacked and attempted to detain a third nation's merchant ship. They then disarmed and released them! The reported reason for release was that they had violated no Canadian law! I find it very alarming that, even after being caught red handed, the Canadians can't even bring themselves to turn them over to the government of the nation of the merchant vessel which was attacked.

Is this story true - or false.

Bruce Turbitt

TRUE. A pure disgrace, given the sacrifices of the crews -- both working to free the crews & those who reman in custody today at the hands of these thugs.

McD

The Cargo Letter - April 23 2009 -- The U.S. Federal Indictment Against Pirate Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse - The Full Story -- Official Court Text

This is the federal case against the surviving pirate. Commodore Bainbridge continues to smile.
McD
United States District Court, Southern District. New York.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

vs.

Abduwali Abdukhadir MUSE, Defendant.

No. 09 MAG 1012., April 21, 2009.

Complaint

Approved: Michael Farbiarz/Brendan R. McGuire, Assistant United States Attorneys.

Before: Honorable Andrew J. Peck, United States Magistrate Judge Southern District of New York.

Violations of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1651, 2280, 1203, 924, and 2

STEVEN E. SORRELLS, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("BI"), and charges as follows:

Count One

1. From on or about April 8, 2009, up to and including on or about April 12, 2009, on the high seas, ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, who was first brought to and arrested in the Southern District of New York, and others known and unknown, committed the crime of piracy as defined by the law of nations, and was afterwards brought into and found in the United States, to wit, the defendant unlawfully, willfully and knowingly seized and robbed, and aided and abetted the seizure and robbery, of a United States-flagged ship, the Maersk Alabama, while the ship was navigating in the Indian Ocean beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of any country.

(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1651, 3238 and 2.)

Count Two

2. From on or about April 8, 2 0 09, up to and including on or about April 12, 2009, in an offense committed against and on board a covered ship, as that term is defined in Tile 18, United States Code, Section 2280(e), which was flying the flag of the United States, ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, who was first brought to and arrested in the Southern District of New York, and others known and unknown, unlawfully, intentionally, and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated and agreed together and with each other to violate Title 18, United States Code, Section 2280.

3. It was a part and an object of the conspiracy that ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, and others known and unknown, would and did seize and exercise control over a ship by force and threat of force and intimidation, to wit, the defendant, and others known and unknown, armed with firearms, hijacked the Maersk Alabama, a United States-flagged ship that was navigating in the Indian Ocean beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of any country.

(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2280(a)(1)(H) and 3238.)

Count Three

4. From on or about April 8, 2009, up to and including on or about April 12, 2009, on the high seas, ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, who was first brought to and arrested in the Southern District of New York, and others known and unknown, unlawfully, willfully, and knowingly, during and in relation to a crime of violence for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, did use and carry a firearm, and, in furtherance of such crime, did possess a firearm, and did aid and abet the use, carrying, and possession of a firearm, to wit, the defendant, and others known and unknown, discharged and otherwise used and carried and possessed firearms during and in relation to the offense charged in Count Two of this Complaint.

(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c) (1) (A) (iii), 3238 and 2.)

Count Four

5. From on or about April 8, 2009, up to and including on or about April 12, 2009, on the high seas, ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, who was first brought to and arrested in the Southern District of New York, and others known and unknown, unlawfully, willfully, and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated and agreed together and with each other to violate Title 18, United States Code, Section 1203.

6. It was a part and an object of the conspiracy that ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, and others known and unknown, would and did seize and detain and threaten to kill, to injure, and to continue to detain another person, namely, a national of the United States, in order to compel third persons to do or abstain from doing an act as an explicit and implicit condition for the release of the person detained, to wit, the defendant, and others known and unknown, detained the captain of the Maersk Alabama on a life boat in the Indian Ocean, and demanded safe passage from the scene in exchange for the release of the captain.

(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1203(a) and 3238.)

Count Five

7. From on or about April 8, 2009, up to and including on or about April 12, 2009, on the high seas, ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, who was first brought to and arrested in the Southern District of New York, unlawfully, willfully, and knowingly, during and in relation to a crime of violence for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, did use and carry a firearm, and, in furtherance of such crime, did possess a firearm, and did aid and abet the use, carrying, and possession of a firearm, to wit, the defendant, and others known and unknown, brandished and otherwise used and carried and possessed firearms during and in relation to the offense charged in Count Four of this Complaint.

(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), 3238 and 2.)[FN1]

FN1. There is extraterritorial jurisdiction for each of the five counts charged. See United States v. Yousef, 327 F.3d 56, 86 (2d Cir. 2003) ; United States v. Bin Laden, 92 F. Supp. 2d 189, 201 (S.D.N.Y. 2000), aff'd, 552 F.3d 177 (2d Cir. 2008); United States v. Shi, 525 F.3d 709, 720-24 (9th Cir. 2008); United States v. Davis, 905 F.2d 245, 248-49 (9th Cir. 1990); Blancas v. United States, 344 F. Supp. 2d 507, 528 (W.D. Tex. 2004).

The bases for my knowledge and the foregoing charges are, in part, as follows:

 

8. I am a Special Agent with the FBI and a member of the FBI's New York-based Joint Terrorism Task Force ("JTTF"). The JTTF is responsible for investigating the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama container ship in the Indian Ocean on or about April 8, 2009, and the subsequent taking of the captain of the Maersk Alabama ("Captain") as a hostage from on or about April 8, 2009, up to and including on or about April 12, 2009. During the course of my investigation, I have, among other things, spoken with law enforcement officials, military officials, and other individuals, and I have reviewed documents relating to this investigation. Because this Complaint is being submitted for the limited purpose of establishing probable cause, I have not included details of every aspect of this investigation. Where the contents of documents and the actions, statements, and conversations of others are reported in this Complaint, they are reported in sum and substance, except where otherwise indicated.

Background

9. As part of this investigation, I have reviewed the March 16, 2009 Report of the Secretary General of the United Nations to the United Nations Security Council ("Report"), which addressed the threat that piracy and armed robbery at sea pose to the security of international navigation off the coast of Somalia. According to the Report, in 2 0 08, there were 111 reported incidents of piracy or armed robbery at sea against ships off the coast of Somalia. The Report states that this number constitutes an annual increase of nearly 200 percent when compared to the number of reported incidents in 2007. The Report also states that, by the end of 2008, one group of pirates based in Somalia was believed to have earned approximately $3 0 million in ransom payments.

 

10. As part of this investigation, I have spoken to a representative of Maersk Line, Limited ("MLL") and reviewed documents maintained by MLL. Based upon that conversation and my review of the documents, I have learned the following:

 
a. MLL is a company based in Norfolk, Virginia, that provides, among other things, container ships and crews for the transportation of various types of cargo around the world.
 
b. One of the container ships in MLL's fleet is the Maersk Alabama, a United States-flagged vessel. As a United States-flagged vessel, the Maersk Alabama is registered in the United States, subject to the regulatory authority of the United States, and flies the flag of the United States while at sea.
 
c. The Maersk Alabama is approximately 500 feet long and 80 feet wide. The engines of the Maersk Alabama are located in the rear of the ship, and the remainder of the ship may be used for storing cargo. The ship is typically operated and controlled from the bridge ("Bridge"), which is an enclosed room in the rear, raised part of the ship that provides a view of the deck of the ship and the waters around the ship,
 
d. The Maersk Alabama also contains an area that is equipped to be secured from the inside for the crew to use in the event of an emergency on board the ship ("Safe Room").
 
e. On or about April 3, 2009, the Maersk Alabama left the Republic of Djibouti with a crew of 20 sailors (collectively, "the Crew") for Mombasa, Kenya. All 20 members of the Crew, including the Captain, are United States citizens. When it left Djibouti, the ship contained thousands of metric tons of cargo, including humanitarian relief supplies.
The Offenses

11. On April 8, 2009, I learned that a container ship called the Maersk Alabama had been hijacked by a group of pirates off the coast of Somalia in the Indian Ocean. Based on this information, I, along with other members of the JTTF, traveled to Africa in order to assist with the investigation of the hijacking.

12. On April 11, 2009, the Maersk Alabama arrived in the port of Mombasa with 19 of its Crew members, but without the Captain. On April 12, 2009, a group of JTTF agents and detectives and agents with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service ("NCIS") interviewed each of the 19 Crew members about the hijacking. After the interviews of the 19 Crew members were completed, I spoke to a Detective with the New York City Police Department who is a member of the JTTF ("Detective 1") and who interviewed one of the members of the Crew ("Crew Member 1") and a Somali interpreter ("Interpreter") who was on board the USS Bainbridge, a United States Navy missile destroyer, from April 9, 2009 through April 12, 2009. I also spoke to an NCIS agent ("Agent 1") who interviewed another Crew member ("Crew Member 2") and a member of the United States Navy ("Navy Witness") who was on board the USS Bainbridge from April 9, 2009 through April 12, 2009. I also interviewed one of the Crew members ("Crew Member 3") myself.

13. Based upon my conversations with Detective 1 and Agent 1 regarding their interviews of Crew Member 1, the Interpreter, Crew Member 2 and the Navy Witness, and my interview of Crew Member 3, I have learned the following:

a. On April 8, 2009, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Crew Member 1 and Crew Member 2 were on the Bridge of the Maersk Alabama. From the Bridge, Crew Member 1 and Crew Member 2 both saw lights that appeared to be from a boat that was traveling toward the Maersk Alabama. After a brief period of time, the lights disappeared from view.

b. Approximately two and a half hours later, while still on the Bridge, Crew Member 1 and Crew Member 2 both saw a small boat approaching the Maersk Alabama ("Pirate Boat"). Crew Member 1 and Crew Member 2 each heard what sounded like gun shots. Crew Member 1 saw some members of the Crew go to the Safe Room.

c. Crew Member 1 left the Bridge of the Maersk Alabama and looked over the port side of the ship. Crew Member 1 was carrying a radio. He saw the Pirate Boat with two men in it. Crew Member 1 heard a voice on his radio that he recognized to be the Captain's. Crew Member 1 heard the Captain say, in sum and substance, that two pirates were on the Bridge.

d. Crew Member 3 heard a voice on his radio that he recognized to be the Captain's saying, in sum and substance, that there were pirates on the ship. Crew Member 3 then began to shut down the power on the Maersk Alabama.

e. At approximately the same time, Crew Member 2 saw a man, later identified as ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, and another man ("Pirate 2") enter the Bridge. MUSE and Pirate 2 were each carrying a gun. MUSE demanded, among other things, that the Maersk Alabama be stopped; that the Crew provide him with the telephone number for the owner of the Maersk Alabama; and that the Crew lower a ladder down to the Pirate Boat.

f. MUSE, Crew Member 2 and another member of the Crew left the Bridge and lowered a ladder down to the Pirate Boat. Crew Member 2 saw two men ("Pirate 3" and "Pirate 4") in the Pirate Boat. Pirate 3 and Pirate 4 climbed the ladder and boarded the Maersk Alabama. Crew Member 2 saw that Pirate 3 and Pirate 4 were carrying guns.

g. Aboard the Maersk Alabama, Pirate 3 and Pirate 4 led Crew Member 2 and the other member of the Crew back to the Bridge at gunpoint. Inside the Bridge, Crew Member 2 heard MUSE demand that the Captain order the rest of the Crew to come to the Bridge. The Captain directed the Crew to come to the Bridge over the radio. Only one additional member of the Crew came to the Bridge.

h. Crew Member 1 surreptitiously climbed up a crane that was located on the deck of the Maersk Alabama to see into the Bridge. He saw the Captain and at least one other member of the Crew in the Bridge, as well as three of the Pirates. Each of the three Pirates appeared to be carrying a gun.

i. One of the Crew Members told MUSE that the Crew would be too afraid to surrender to him if he (MUSE) was armed. Then, leaving his gun in the Bridge with the other Pirates, MUSE left the Bridge with Crew Member 2.

j. MUSE then began to canvass the ship, using Crew Member 2 as a guide. MUSE and Crew Member 2 each carried a flashlight because, at this.time, the interior of the Maersk Alabama was dark, the power having been shut down by Crew Member 3.

k. Crew Member 2 lost sight of MUSE in the darkness of one of the areas of the ship. At or about that time, in the same area, Crew Member 3 determined that he may have been spotted in the darkness by MUSE. Crew Member 3 briefly hid from MUSE and then tackled him to the ground. Meanwhile, Crew Member 2, hearing the sounds of a struggle, shined his flashlight in the direction of the sounds and saw Crew Member 3 fighting with MUSE. Crew Member 2 helped Crew Member 3 subdue MUSE. Crew Member 2 and Crew Member 3 then tied MUSE's hands with wire, and took MUSE to the Safe Room where several Crew members had secured themselves.

l. After several hours elapsed, the other Pirates said they would leave the Maersk Alabama if the Crew returned MUSE to them and provided them with, among other things, a life boat ("Life Boat"). The Captain boarded the Life Boat with the other Pirates, and the Crew allowed MUSE to board the Life Boat. At that time, the Captain did not return to the Maersk Alabama, and the Life Boat navigated a short distance away from the ship with the Pirates and the Captain aboard.

m. On April 9, 2009, the USS Bainbridge met up with the Maersk Alabama. When the USS Bainbridge arrived, the Pirates and the Captain were on the Life Boat, a short distance away from the Maersk Alabama.

n. Over the following three days, there were multiple radio communications between the Pirates and personnel on the USS Bainbridge. In those communications, the Pirates threatened to kill the Captain if they were not provided with safe passage away from the scene.

o. On April 12, 2009, MUSE requested and was permitted to board the USS Bainbridge. The other three Pirates continued to hold the Captain on the Life Boat. On the USS Bainbridge, MUSE continued to demand for himself and the other Pirates safe passage from the scene in exchange for the Captain's release. In addition, MUSE received medical treatment.

14. On April 19, 2009, I interviewed the Captain of the Maersk Alabama. Based upon my interview of the Captain, I have learned the following:

a. On April 8, 2009, at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Captain was on the Bridge of the Maersk Alabama. From the Bridge, the Captain saw the Pirates approaching the Maersk Alabama in the Pirate Boat. The Pirates fired guns at the ship. The Captain fired multiple warning flares at the Pirate Boat in an effort to divert the Pirates.

b. ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, was the first Pirate to board the Maersk Alabama. MUSE used a portable ladder to board the ship and was carrying a gun. From the deck of the Maersk Alabama, MUSE fired his gun at the Captain who was still in the Bridge.

c. MUSE entered the Bridge, and told the Captain to stop the ship. MUSE, who conducted himself as the leader of the Pirates, later demanded money from the Captain. MUSE and two other Pirates, each of whom was armed with a gun, then walked with the Captain to a room on the Maersk Alabama that contained the ship's safe. The Captain opened the safe and took out approximately $30,000 in cash. MUSE and the two other Pirates then took the cash.

d. Thereafter, the Pirates held the Captain on the Life Boat from April 8 to April 12, 2009. During this period, MUSE told the Captain, in sum and substance, that he had hijacked other ships before. MUSE also handed out some of the approximately $30,000 in cash from the Maersk Alabama to the other Pirates. At one point, the Captain attempted to escape; in response, the Pirates shot a gun at him. After the Captain attempted to escape, the Pirates tied him up inside the Life Boat and hit him.

e. On April 12, 2009, MUSE left the Life Boat. Later that day, one of the three remaining Pirates shot a gun on the Life Boat. Less than one hour later, the Captain heard several gun shots on the Life Boat, and saw that the three remaining Pirates had been shot.

15. According to evidence reports prepared by the United States Navy, which I have reviewed, United States Navy personnel recovered the following, among other things, from the Life Boat:

a. 2 loaded AK-47 assault rifles;

b. 2 gun straps, each containing 3 AK-47 magazines;

c. 1 magazine for a handgun; and

d. Multiple cell phones and handheld radios.

16. As part of this investigation, I have spoken to another JTTF agent about the transport of ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, to the Southern District of New York. Based on those conversations, I have learned that, on April 12, 2009, MUSE was taken into custody by the United States Navy while on the USS Bainbridge, which was at sea in the Indian Ocean approximately 280 miles off the coast of Somalia. I have also learned that, on April 20, 2008, the FBI took custody of MUSE from the United States Navy. On the same day, MUSE was flown by the FBI to the Southern District of New York.

WHEREFORE, deponent respectfully requests that ABDUWALI ABDUKHADIR MUSE, the defendant, be imprisoned or bailed, as the case may be.

<<signature>>

STEVEN E. SORRELLS

Special Agent

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Sworn to before me this 21st day of April, 2009

<<signature>>

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

_________

END OF DOCUMENT

Editor Note: While Canadian ships practice "catch & release" -- we sincerely hope other pirates may do some flag recognition before next attempting to take a ship flying the Stars & Stripes.

McD
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A Timeline of Piracy In Somalia & The Gulf of Aden

Somali pirates are causing havoc in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, -- with 40,000 vessel transits per year -- which connects Europe to Asia and the Middle East via the Suez Canal.

Piracy off the Horn of Africa has been a problem for years, but daily attacks are now forcing shippers to seek alternative routes.

Below is a timeline of some of the major piracy events off the coast of Somalia during the past three years. These are only the high points -- given over 123 incidences (including attempted attacks, averted attacks and successful sea-jackings) have been recorded to the first week of Dec. 2008 with until today 53 factual sea-jacking cases -- including 16 vessels & about 250 crew presently held.Several other vessels with unclear fate (not in the actual count), who were reported missing over the last ten years in this area, are still kept on our watch-list, though in some cases it is presumed that they sunk due to bad weather or being unfit to sail. In the last four years, 22 missing ships have been traced back with different names, flags and superstructures.

2005

*U.S. Navy Task Force 150 is on scene

* March 8 : The yachts S/Y Mahdi and S/Y Gandalf are attacked by two pirate speedboats off the coast of Yemen; yacht captains resisted successfully, destroying one pirate speedboat and shooting two pirates.

* April 10: Hong Kong petroleum gas tanker M/T Feisty Gas is captured and released after a US$315,000 ransom was paid to representative of the pirates in the Kenyan city of Mombasa.

* June 27: M/V Semlow, carrying U.N. food supplies for tsunami victims, was seized by pirates en route from Mombasa, Kenya to Bosasso, Somalia. The ship was held for 100 days.

* Oct. 8: M/V Torgelow, carrying tea as well as fuel for the recently freed M/V Semlow, was captured by pirates near El-Maan, Somalia and held for 53 days.

* Oct. 12: M/V Miltzow carrying U.N. food aid was captured by pirates in Merka, Somalia and held for two days.

* Nov. 5: The luxury cruise M/V Seabourn Spirit is attacked by pirates, armed with grenade launchers and automatic weapons, off the coast of Somalia. Although one crew member is wounded in the attack, the ship manages to escape the pirates' smaller boat.

U.S. Navy Observes MV Faina Under Pirate Control

2006

* Jan. 16: Indian M/V Safina al-Birsarat is hijacked. It was released Jan. 22 after pirates surrendered to Somali authorities.

* Nov. 6: Pirates seize the UAE-flagged M/V Veesham I and demand a US$150,000 ransom for the release of 14 crew members.

* Nov. 8: Somali Islamist fighters with speed boats forcibly free the hostages of the MV Veesham I and capture the pirates.

2007

* Feb.1: Danish-owned, Russian-flagged tug M/V Svitzer Korsakov is captured. It was released March 18, after a US$700,000 ransom was paid.

* June 1: Danish cargo ship M/V Danica White, carrying construction materials from Dubai to Mombasa, is hijacked off the central east coast of Somalia. The ship was released Aug. 23 after a $1.5 million ransom was paid.

* Oct. 28: Japanese-owned, Panamanian-flagged chemical tanker M/T Golden Nori is captured off the Somali coast. The tanker was released Dec. 12 after US$1M ransom was paid.

* Oct. 29: North Korean cargo vessel M/V Dai Hong Dan was hijacked. The crew managed to regain control of the vessel and it was freed Oct. 30.

2008

April

* April 11: In a daring helicopter raid, French marine commandos free the 30 crew of the luxury commercial sailing yacht S/Y Le Ponant a week after she was seized by pirates described as local Somali fishermen.

* Apr. 20: Spanish fishing ship is hijacked 400 kilometers off the Somali coast and released six days later. The Spanish government denied paying an alleged ransom of US$1.2M.

* April 21: U.A.E. cargo M/V Al-Khaleej was seized off the coast of the Somali city of Bosaso. She was rescued April 22 by Puntland security forces. Seven pirates and four collaborators were later sentenced to life in prison.

May

* May 17: U.A.E. owned, Jordanian-flagged M/V Victoria is hijacked 56 kilometers off the Somali coast. It was released on May 23 on unknown conditions.

* May 24: Dutch-owned, Antigua and Barbuda flagged M/V Amiya Scan is hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. Released June 24.

* May 28: German cargo M/V Lehmann Timber is captured in the Gulf of Aden. Released July 8 after a US$ 750,000 ransom was delivered to pirates near the Puntland town of Eyl.

July

* July 20: Japanese-owned, Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier M/V Stella Maris is captured near the Somali region of Alula. the carries is released Sep. 26 after a US$2M ransom was paid.

August

* August 12: Thai cargo M/V Thor Star, delivering plywood to Aden, is captured in the Gulf of Aden. It was released nearly two months later on Oct 13.

September

* Sept. 25: Pirates seize Ukrainian-operated, Belize-flagged cargo M/V Faina, heading to Kenya.

November

* Nov. 10: Panamanian-operated, Philippines-flagged chemical MV/T Stolt Strength is hijacked in the Gulf of Aden.

* Nov. 12: Turkish chemical tanker MV Karagöl is hijacked off the coast of Yemen

* Nov. 15: Japanese-owned, Panamanian-flagged chemical M/T Chemstar Venus is seized in the Gulf of Aden

* Nov. 15: Pirates hijack Saudi-operated, Liberian-flagged oil M/T Sirius Star that is carrying a cargo worth US$100M. The Pirates demand a US$25M and set a 10-day deadline.

* Nov. 18: Iranian-operated, Hong Kong- flagged grain M/V Delight is hijacked in the Gulf of Aden off the Yemeni coast.

* Nov. 25: Somali pirates hijack Yemeni cargo M/V Amani in the Gulf of Aden.

December

* Dec. 2: The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution in support of an EU naval mission to begin Dec. 8 aimed at ending increased piracy off the coast of Somalia.

2009

January

* Jan. 9: M/T Sirius Star released in change for US$3M ransom -- dropped from small plane to th deck of the vessel.

* Jan. 12: M/V African Sanderling and its 21 all-Filipino crew were released Jan. 12. M/V African Sanderling was seized in Oct. while en route to Asia from the Middle East.

* Jan. 12: M/T Karagol, a Turkish chemical tanker with 14 Turkish crew, had been carrying 4,000 tons of chemicals to Mumbai when it was seized on Nov. 12.

Para-Drop of Ransom To M/V Sirius Star

February

* Feb. 2: A plane from South Africa carrying US$3.2M Para-Dropped the demanded ransom onto M/V Faina upon an agreement between the pirates and the ship's owner.

* Feb. 6 2009: M/V Faina is freed after payment of US$3.2M ransom. Our work on this feature is done -- but the piracy will continue.

April

* April 8 2009 - M/V Maersk Alabama is taken by Somali pirates -- the first U.S. ship captured by pirates in 206 years. Later on April 8, the American crew retakes the ship, but Capt. Richard Phillips is taken hostage.

* April 12 2009 - U.S. Navy recuses Capt. Richard Phillips in swift firefight which ends with 3 pirates dead & one captured.

* April 14 - Pirates make an aborted attack on M/V Liberty Sun -- as USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) again comes to the rescure -- this time with Capt. Richard Phillips of M/V Maersk Alabama still aboard the warship which rescued him. Sweet irony.

Modern Day Piracy -- Presentation By Michael S. McDaniel, Esq. of Modern High Seas Piracy  

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To Repeat -- No Matter How Careful You Are -- Or Who You Hire ....... "Ship Happens! ©"

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The Dedication of This Feature Is Simple: To The Crew of M/V Maersk Alabama & Capt. Richard Phillips


SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by air & sae continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs broker

It's very dangerous out there.


INDEX TO OUR "The Retaking of MV Maersk Alabama" PAGE SPECIAL FEATURES:

Important Links To Our Feature:
USS Bainbridge
Commodore William Bainbridge, USN

USS Boxer

Maersk Line Ltd.

MV Maersk Alabama

Maersk Line U.S. Fleet

Important Links To Our Pirate Features:

The Attack ON M/V Faina

"The Taking of MT Biscaglia" - Jan. 2009

"The Attack On M/V Zhen Hua 4"

"The Taking of M/T Sirius Star" - Somalia Pirates Take Supertanker - Stakes Raised

"Tank You, From The Somali Pirates"

"The Pirate Attack on MV Zhen Hua 4"

Our Other Cargo Law Pirate Features

Modern Day Piracy -- Presentation By Michael S. McDaniel, Esq. of Modern High Seas Piracy

"Return of The Pirates" -- a 2 hour History Channel TV documentary featuring Michael S. McDaniel

Modern High Seas Piracy -- Ships Taken -- Naval Combat
Over 90% of international trade travels by water and a new generation of criminals is blending terror tactics with time-tested methods to threaten this economic lifeline. Nations and corporations are racing to protect themselves and their goods, and though the pirates are still ahead, new international response units and mercenary ships are combating the attacks. The U.S. Coast Guard trains navies worldwide in anti-piracy measures, but corrupt law enforcement officials mar advances in their effectiveness. Today's pirate is organized, political, and will command world attention once again.

"Paradise & Pirates" - S/V Le Ponant - April 2008

Attack On USS Cole (DDG-67)

Our Grand Sail With Task Force 150 - "Mis-Fortune" - M/V Hyundai Fortune - March 2006

Singles:

"The Pirates of Peleliu" - the Gulf of Aden - Aug. 2008

"Somali Pirate Patrol" -- pirate miscalculation --March 2006

"Pirate Payback" - USS Winstn Churchill - Jan. 2006

"Suggested Al-Qaida Solution" - Sept. 2001


Our Daily Vessel Casualties - stay informed

Ocean Features From The Cargo Letter- these are just examples

The Cargo Letter Photo Gallery of Transport Loss - For All The Air & Ocean Features - a few examples below
"Too Little Runway - Too Much Plane" - TACA Flt 390 - June 2008

"Recurring Dream" - M/V Norwegian Dream - May 2008

"Explorer Ship Down" - M/V Explorer - Nov. 2007

"Kwanyang Crane Kaboom" - Nov. 2007

"Den Den Done" - M/V Denden - Sept. 2007

"For The "L" of It" - M/V Action Alpha - August 2007

"Pepito Flores Did Not Need To Die " - OUR INVESTIGATION RESULTS

"Stack Attack!" - M/V Ital Florida - July 2007

"Singles Only" - visit our individual moments of transport crisis for more.

The Greatest Container Losses Of All Time - these are the grand fathers -

M/V OOCL America

M/V APL China

M/V APL Panama - The EPIC

"Great Misfortune"- M/V Hyundai Fortune - March 2006


SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by sea continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs broker. 

It's very dangerous out there.

Thanks To Our Contributors For The "The Retaking of MV Maersk Alabama" Feature

Our Contributor for this feature are greatly appreciated:
Richard Bause

SSG Patrick Jankowiak -- Texas State Guard, Dallas, Texas

Chris Munford

Blaine Prentiss

Christoph Wainer

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NOTE: Please Provide Us With Your Additional Information For This Loss.

EDITOR'S NOTE FOR SURVEYORS, ATTORNEYS & MARINE ADJUSTERS: The Internet edition effort of The Cargo Letter now celebrates it's 8th Year of Service -- making us quite senior in this segment of the industry. We once estimated container underway losses at about 1,500 per year. Lloyd's put that figure at about 10,000 earlier this year. Quite obviously, the reporting mechanism for these massive losses is not supported by the lines. News of these events is not posted to the maritime community. Our new project is to call upon you -- those handling the claims -- to let us know of each container loss at sea-- in confidentiality. Many of you survey on behalf of cargo interests with no need for confidentiality. Others work for the lines & need to be protected. As a respected Int'l publication, The Cargo Letter enjoys full press privileges & cannot be forced to disclose our sources of information. No successful attempt has ever been made. If a personal notation for your report is desired -- each contributor will be given a "hot link" to your company Website in each & every report. Please take moment & report your "overside" containers to us. If you do not wish attribution, your entry will be "anonymous." This will will benefit our industry -- for obvious reasons! McD


* NOTE: The Cargo Letter wants you to know that by keeping the identity of our contributors 100% Confidential, you are able to view our continuing series of "Cargo Disasters." Our friends send us materials which benefit the industry. The materials are provided to our news publication with complete and enforceable confidentiality for the sender. In turn, we provide these materials to you.  

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